Women's Health

Hormone Therapy Increases Likelihood of Reflux

Women who take hormones to relieve symptoms of menopause have a higher risk of developing symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Also, women who use selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), used to treat breast cancer and osteoporosis, also have a higher risk of developing reflux, according to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

SERMs, such as tamoxifen, are widely prescribed to treat breast cancer. Another SERM, raloxifene, is widely prescribed for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Almost two-thirds of the population experience GERD during the course of a year, while 20 percent to 30 percent have problems weekly or even more often.

"For a long time, people have thought that female hormones are in some way associated with heartburn," says study author Dr. Brian Jacobson, an assistant professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine.

"Women who are pregnant, even in the first trimester before a great big belly pushes on the stomach, already experience heartburn," says Dr. Jacobson.

In addition, women on oral contraceptives sometimes experience a relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, which allows stomach acids to rise up into the esophagus, causing heartburn.

GERD Symptoms Greater by Nearly Half

No one, however, had looked to see if exogenous hormones, meaning those that come from outside the body, had an effect on GERD.

In the past some studies have indicated that postmenopausal hormones might increase GERD symptoms in women who are overweight or obese.

The authors of this study reviewed information on 51,637 postmenopausal women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study.

Participants had provided information on both postmenopausal hormone use as well as symptoms of GERD every two years from 1976 through 2002.

Women who had used hormones had a 46 percent higher risk of having symptoms of GERD, compared with women who had never used postmenopausal hormones.

Women currently using estrogen only had a 66 percent raised risk while those currently using combined estrogen and progesterone had a 41 percent increased risk.

The chances of developing GERD symptoms were higher with higher doses of hormones and longer duration of use.

Current SERM users had a 39 percent increased risk, while women taking over-the-counter preparations had an increased risk of 37 percent.

"This is important for a couple of reasons, one just for proof of principle in terms of the mechanisms and pathophysiology," says Dr. Jacobson. "We had always suspected [exogenous hormones] might do it. Now, we have more evidence that hormones do somehow cause people to get more heartburn.

The exact biological mechanisms are not clear yet, but it looks like hormones may lower pressure in the esophageal sphincter, which is the opening from the esophagus into the stomach..

Making a Personal Choice

Because of other risks, including heart attack and breast cancer, experts generally recommend that women limit their use of postmenopausal hormones.

And if a woman does take hormones and experiences heartburn, she might consider an alternative for her menopausal symptoms, says Dr. Jacobson.

"A woman [taking hormones who develops GERD] may need additional medication or she may make the decision with her doctor that it's not worth it to continue hormones," says Dr. Jennifer Wu, an obstetrician/gynecologist with Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

"GERD is something we will have to keep an eye on when putting patients on hormones," she notes. "It's not an obvious symptom to patients. . . . so we may need to inform patients ahead of time."

Always consult your physician for more information.

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November 2008

Staying Healthy after Menopause

While this "change of life" called menopause was once a life-stage dreaded by many women, today's woman has an abundance of medical knowledge and resources available to her as she experiences menopause.

The key to staying youthful and active is good nutrition and regular physical exercise.

As a person ages, nutritional requirements change. A premenopausal woman should consume about 1,000 mg of calcium daily. Women after menopause should consume 1,200 mg of calcium per day, according the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Vitamin D is also very important for calcium absorption and bone formation. According to a 1992 study, women with postmenopausal osteoporosis who took vitamin D for three years, significantly reduced their risk of spinal fractures.

The National Research Council of the National Institutes of Health recommends a healthy diet.

Choose foods low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Fat intake should be less than 30 percent of daily calorie intake.

Eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grain cereal products, especially those high in vitamin C and beta carotene. Persons of all ages should consume 20 to 30 grams of fiber daily.

Avoid foods and drinks with processed sugar, as many of these products contain empty calories and promote weight gain.

Avoid salt-cured and smoked foods such as sausages, smoked fish, ham, bacon, bologna, and hot dogs. These foods are high in sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure, a serious risk for aging women.

Menopausal women often experience weight gain, possibly because of declining estrogen levels. Raising your activity level will help to avoid this weight gain.

Exercise becomes particularly important as a woman ages. Regular exercise benefits the heart and bones, helps regulate weight, and can be a mood enhancer, creating a better sense of well-being.

Women who are physically inactive are more likely to suffer from coronary heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Aerobic activities such as walking, jogging, swimming, biking, and dancing help prevent some of these problems and also help raise HDL cholesterol levels, commonly referred to as the "good" cholesterol.

Weight-bearing exercises such as walking and running, as well as moderate weight training, help increase bone mass. In postmenopausal women, moderate exercise helps preserve bone mass in the spine and prevent fractures.

Exercise also has a mood-enhancing quality, due to hormones, called endorphins, which are released in the brain. The mood-heightening quality of these endorphins can last for several hours and helps the body fight stress.

Do not smoke. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Take medication for high blood pressure or to reduce your cholesterol, if prescribed by your physician. This will help minimize your risk for heart disease.

Reduce stress in your life through relaxation techniques or regular exercise.